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hmmmmm... it isn't an exact science. there are guys like brady who slip through the cracks (by being undersized/skinny/unimpressive through the scouting process), and guys like ryan leaf who is as physically impressive as you could want, yet doesn't have it mental. so much of it is how they're developed/brought up in a system. there are guys like david carr who had a lot of talent, but wasn't taught how to succeed as a qb (film watching is an art that guys like peyton manning know, yet most young qbs never properly learn).
so, what does it take? off the top of my head (and a qb doesn't have to have ALL of these, but a good number of them... the more they have, the more successful they'll be)
1) intangibles. we'll break this down into several categories... a) desire to succeed. they're willing to work their ass off in the film room, which usually leads to success on the field. b) intelligence. ability to quickly process information gleaned by off-field preparation. c) 'it.' some guys have 'it,' some guys don't. this is impossible to define. guys like brady have it, roethlisberger, manning, etc.
2) arm strength. you don't have to have a cannon, but if you have a better arm, it's easier to make up for mistakes. if you have a plus-plus arm, it gives you more time to process in the pocket. in a game of milliseconds, that extra few moments is a LIFETIME.
3) confidence. guys like favre excel here. the ability to appear that you're always in charge--to get your team behind you. to be able to throw an interception and not shatter mentally.
4) work ethic. it kinda goes in 'intangibles,' but it's so important that it gets its own category. there really is a reason why guys like brady, manning, and the rest of the franchise guys succeed--they work their asses off.
5) right system. sure, the true franchise guys can play in any system. but let's be honest--if you put joe montana in a different system (not WCO), he doesn't have any rings. if you put warren moon in a WCO (and not run/shoot), his numbers aren't as gaudy and he isn't in the hall-of fame. coaching is VERY important--if your coaches utilize you properly, you'll be more able to utilize the first four attributes.
not sure if any of the above worked or made sense. it's hard to put together a list of qualities that make a guy a franchise qb. you have guys who have all of the physical talent, but something is lacking mentally. you have guys who have the mental game down pat, but can't complete the 20 yard out.
and after making my list, I'll go completely out on a limb (and keep in mind, I'm not a cassel homer. I still want us to go QB at number 3)
cassel:
1) from what I've read, he possesses a and b. we have no idea about C. if he has C, we'll have a lombardi at some point in the near future.
2) seems to have a 'good enough' arm. isn't weak-armed, but he's no stafford. however, you don't HAVE to have a howitzer to win the super bowl.
3) we have no idea at this point. none at all. probably the biggest unknown of cassel at this point.
4) as previously mentioned, everything I've read says that this is something cassel excels at. he has a great work ethic.
5) the other great unknown. will haley be smart enough to put cassel in a good position to succeed? who the **** knows right now.
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